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Advocates around the country are asking people to call their US Senators and Representatives today and tell them to “pass the mental health and substance abuse parity legislation before Congress adjourns.” This long overdue bill requires health insurers to provide the same coverage for substance abuse and mental health issues as they do for any…
Susan Sharon, deputy news director at Maine Public Broadcasting Network, recently did a two-part series on addiction in Maine and how it specifically affects the professional world. Sharon reported on a judge who brings his own past experience of alcoholism to the bench and an assistance program that helps Maine lawyers and judges find recovery,…
Addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause a lot of disruption in families. The disruption can occur even when the addicted person has received treatment and is moving in the path of recovery. The following 5 suggestions for family members dealing with a loved one new to recovery come from HBO’s Addiction website: Educate yourself…
The rise in prescription drug abuse by teenagers and adults seems to be in the news more these days. A recent Reuters article has some alarming stats to illustrate the problem. According to the article, federal data shows that overdose deaths fueled by prescription drugs now surpass motor vehicle deaths as the nation’s No. 1…
The July/August 2008 Addiction Professional has an interesting article on relapse prevention, written by Brian Duffy, LMHC, LADC-I. In the article, Duffy offers relapse prevention strategies to clinicians and those in recovery in relation to the top 6 triggers he’s seen in his decade-plus experience in the substance abuse treatment field. Duffy’s 6 common triggers…
HBO’s Addiction website has tons of information on the topics of addiction, treatment and aftercare for adolescents and adults. There is also information and resources for family members and friends to help them understand addiction. In May of 2006, HBO teamed up with USA Today and The Gallup Poll to survey American adults with an…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxrU9Q5nzI] Take a look at Crossroads for Women’s new organizational video directed by Laki Vazakas. This new video tells the story of Crossroads for Women through the women who have walked through its doors. Crossroads for Women is where you would send your mother, sister or daughter for outpatient or residential treatment for substance abuse…
Healthday reported that taking a regimen of prescribed medications is the most effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms and urges to drink alcohol in those being treated for alcohol dependence. The conclusion came from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Combine study, a large-scale, multi-site, combined medication and behavioral treatment study. Data was…
Democrat Senator Jim Webb from Virginia, and potential Vice Presidential candidate for Barack Obama, recently held a meeting on Capitol Hill to “get the facts out” about the ineffectiveness of jailing nonviolent offenders for drug-related offenses rather than treating them for their addiction problem. The hearing of the Joint Economic Committee solicited testimony from prosecutors…
A government report coming out of the United Kingdom estimates that a single drug addict costs taxpayers more than £800,000 (about $1.569 million) over his or her lifetime. Interestingly enough, a female drug addict was estimated to cost £859,000 (about $1.692 million), while a male user cost slightly less at £827,000 ($1.629). The admittedly conservative…